GOLD DIGGINGS MURDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3821, 21 July 1928, Page 2

GOLD DIGGINGS MURDER.

ROBBERY THE MOTIVE. Dunedin, July 20. The man suspected of-the murder of Joe Shum (not Shem) at Kyeburn Diggings, obtained 19 hours’ start through the murdered man’s Chinese companion being too frightened to carry the news till yesterday morning. Robbery has been definitely established as the motive, for after the shooting Shum’s hut was ransacked by the assailant, who had demanded £IOO from him. The story of the dead man’s mate, Sue Pee, is that at about one o’clock on Tuesday afternoon a man who had visited the camp three weeks earlier, arrived and was given a meal. He then said he was a policeman inquiring about the killing of another man and the theft of £2OO. Shum was accused by him of this crime.. Having ascertained Shum had a rifle and ammunition, the visitor picked up the rifle, suggesting he and Shum go out after rabbits, Pee meantime going away wood chopping. Later -Pee heard shots. Then Shum struggled to him greviously wounded, telling him that the man had said he would kill him unless he gave him £IOO. Shum handed over two ounces of gold whereupon the murder took place. The man suspected was seen at _ Ranfurly on Wednesday where it is>' alleged two ounces of gold were sold to the bank. A big police net has been spread throughout the district. AN ARREST AFFECTED. Dunedin, This Day. Charged with the murder of the Chinese miner Joe Shen, at the Kyeburn diggings on Tuesday, William John Hardy was arrested at Dunedin this morning. This man left the Otago Central express at Caversham on Wednesday evening, leaving his swag in the He was found yesterday and de-. tained as a suspect. In the meantime the dead man’s mate, Sue Pee, was motored to town, and, followjug an identification parade, Havdy was arrested. Hardy was charged in the Police Court to-day and remanded for eight days. The accused is 25 years of age, over six feet in height, with gaunt features. , J